Acer Aspire One D255 and Aspire One Happy netbooks outed in RP

We all knew the Acer Aspire One D255 was joining the netbook party today, but what we didn’t know was that it was bringing a friend with it. Actually, “twin” is a better word, as a similarly-spec’d model called the Aspire One Happy (we swear we didn’t make that name up) is also out to put a big smile on your face.

The difference between the 2 is purely cosmetic. The D255 sports a conventional color palette (sandstone brown, ruby red, seashell white, diamond black, and aquamarine) while the Happy uses a “happier,” more youth-oriented spectrum (candy pink, lime green, Hawaii blue, and lavender purple). Again, we didn’t make those names up.

Acer Aspire One D255 and Aspire One Happy specs

Processor

Type: Intel Atom N550 dual core

Speed: 1.5GHz

Motherboard/Chipset: Intel NM10

Memory (RAM)

Type: DDR3

Capacity: 1GB

Storage: 250GB HDD (5400rpm)

Video Card: Intel GMA 3150

Optical Drive: n/a

Webcam: 1.3mp (1280 x 1024 pixels)

Screen

Size: 10.1 inches LED backlit

Resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels (WSVGA)

Connectivity

Modem: n/a

LAN: 10/100 megabit

Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n

Bluetooth: ver. 3.0

Ports

USB: 3 x ver. 2.0

Firewire: 0

VGA: 1

DVI: 0

HDMI: 0

Card Reader: 2-in-1

Expansion Port: n/a

Mic: 1

Headphone: 1

Operating System: Windows 7 Starter + Android 2.1 Eclair (Quick Boot)

Battery Life

Cells: 4 (4400mAh)

Life: up to 8 hours

Size: 258.5 x 185 x 24mm

Weight: 1.25kg

Besides the color schemes and the odd name, what really took us by surprise is the fact that both netbooks have dual boot options. You can go straight to Micsrosoft Windows 7 Starter or to – drumroll please – Android 2.1. Yes, the same Android operating system you see in mobile devices such as the LG Optimus and the Samsung Galaxy.

The difference here is interactions are done via the touch pad and you can’t download additional apps, according to Acer Philippines’ netbook product manager, Dio Vasquez (that is, until somebody comes up with a hack). Vasquez also said that the OS is also able to recognize external USB devices.

The Philippine SRP is pegged at P23,900 which is just right for a netbook but way more expensive than its US price of $329 (about P14,500). Can anyone say “taxed to death”?

The Acer Aspire One D255 in sandstone brown

The Acer Aspire One Happy in lime green

The Acer Aspire One in candy pink

The D255 again. This time in Aquamarine

Acer Aspire One D255 partial specs

Acer Aspire One Happy partial specs

Derek ‘DDR’ Ramsey as the official Aspire One endorser

720p videos run smoothly, thanks to the additional processing power. See how ‘happy’ Gerard Butler looks?

A 2.9 score in the Windows Experience Index reminds us that the D255 and the Happy are still only netbooks.

More info on the Windows Experience Index

Android on a real PC? You betcha.

The fastest boot sequence we’ve seen to date, thanks to this little fella.

Android menu screen

The Intel Atom processor is just as small as a grain of rice.

Chiclet-style keys similar to the ones seen in the Acer Aspire Timeline series